himalayan back-roads
9-11 DAYS, ENDURO
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Ride mountain roads to 12,600ft Muktinath in barren Mustang
The culmination of all things enduro riding in Nepal! Keep to dirt tracks as much as possible on this incredible adventure into the Himalaya. We’ll ride where few others go, before arriving at the popular destination of Tibetan-like Mustang. Optional (and highly recommended!) add-on takes you to the rugged and remote Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve.
DAY 1 – Kathmandu: Airport pickup – Transport to hotel – Welcome Dinner – Orientation
DAY 2 – Gorkha: 150kms, 5-6hrs Ride mix of backroads and highway to Gorkha in shadow of 8,156m Manaslu – Hilltop resort
DAY 3 – Naudanda: 130kms, 4hrs Dirt Roads and highway mix to stunning Himalaya views at Naudanda – Mountaintop resort
DAY 4 – Burtibang: 132kms, 6hrs Off-the-beaten-path riding along backroads to rural Burtibang
DAY 5 – Dhorpatan / Burtibang: 80kms, 4.5hrs Off-the-beaten-path riding along rough mountain roads to Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve – Return to Burtibang
DAY 6 – Lete: 125kms, 6hrs Rough road riding to Mustang – Simple tea-house
DAY 7 – Muktinath / Tukuche: 80kms, 6hrs The high point of our trip – 12,600ft Muktinath in the beautifully barren Mustang Valley – Return to Lete
DAY 8 – Pokhara: 130kms, 6hrs Down-valley through the “world’s deepest gorge” to lakeside Pokhara – lakeside hotel
DAY 9 – Bandipur / Kurintar: 100+kms, 4+hrs Backroads and highway take us to either hilltop Bandipur or riverside Kurintar.
DAY 10 – Kathmandu: 110 / 150kms, 4-5hrs Highway riding back to Kathmandu – Celebratory Dinner
DAY 1 – Arrive Kathmandu – Welcome Dinner
If you are just arriving in Nepal, we can arrange private airport pickup and transport to your hotel. Hand-picked, boutique hotel in Kathmandu.
Check out the bikes and get geared up for the journey ahead. Welcome dinner and orientation at a favorite restaurant.
DAY 2 – Ride to Gorkha
Just out of Kathmandu we’ll take to the backroads and wind into the hills. The rest of the day is a mix of backroads and highway riding en-route to Gorkha District. Within spectacular view of Manaslu, (the world’s 8th highest mountain), our delightful hill-top resort provides the perfect place to soak up the views with a beer on the terrace.
DAY 3 – Ride to Naudanda
Another day of mixed riding – gravel and dirt backroads, and some highway. We’ll be paralleling the mighty Himalayan range with spectacular views on clear days. Our evening resort is perched just opposite Annapurna and Machhapuchare for some of Nepal’s most iconic Himalayan views.
DAY 4 – Ride to Burtibang
Today is a lot of fun as we really get off the beaten path and enter a world where few travelers venture. Entering Nepal’s Mid-Hills Highway, we’ll find that it is hardly a “highway” at all! Mostly rough dirt riding past simple mountainside villages and idilic scenery. Lodging tonight is very basic, but the beer is cold and the town we stay in is charming.
DAY 5 – Ride to Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve – Return to Burtibang
Another amazing day of off-the-beaten-track riding! Leaving all feeling of civilization behind, we’ll climb rough rocky roads through incredibly remote country to 9700ft. Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve is a beautifully lonely outpost consisting of several village homes scattered across the open valley. After a simple lunch, we’ll return to the quaint town of Burtibang.
DAY 6 – Ride to Lete, Mustang
This morning we’ll continue through little-traveled territory before re-connecting with the main route to Mustang. The afternoon consists of more rough road riding up the Kali Gandaki River Valley – deepest valley in the world. Simple, yet clean accommodation at a trekker’s styled guesthouse right at the edge of Mustang Valley.
DAY 7 – Ride to Muktinath – Return to Tukuche
The highpoint of our trip! Today we climb through the barren moonscape of Lower Mustang to our highest elevation at the sacred Hindu temple of Muktinath. After lunch we’ll make a loop through remote Tibetan villages before retracing our path down valley. Simple, yet clean and welcoming trekker’s styled guesthouse in Tukuche.
DAY 8 – Ride to Pokhara
Descending down the Kali Gandaki River Valley, we’ll feel it warming up and will be thankful to finally see pavement again after several days of rough road riding. Roll into Pokhara’s Lakeside district (adventure capital of Nepal) and check into a favorite lakeside hotel. Spend the evening chilling on the popular tourist strip along the lakefront.
DAY 9 – Ride to Bandipur / Kurintar
We can take it easy today with a short ride to Bandipur, or we can keep to the backroads and make a longer loop to either Bandipur or Kurintar. Great lodging with delicious views and peaceful location at both!
DAY 10 – Ride to Kathmandu
The last day of our ride! It’s a couple hour jog along Nepal’s busiest highway, so we’ll keep our eyes open and stay alert as we roll back into the traffic choked capital city.
Back in Kathmandu we’ll ride directly to the bike shop and return the bikes.
Included:
- 9 nights lovely, hand-picked lodging
- All Breakfasts
- All Dinners
- Motorcycle Rental
- Third party motorcycle insurance
- Petrol
- *Lodge-to-lodge Support Vehicle for ride
- **Mechanic / Follow-up Rider
- Eli as Trip Leader / Road Captain
Not Included:
- International airfare
- Nepal visa fee ($25 for 15 days)
- Lunches
- Any drinks other than complimentary drinks & morning tea/coffee
- Snacks
- Personal insurance
- Rescue & evacuation, etc…
- Expenses occurred as a result of delay beyond our control in case of weather, flight cancellation, political disturbances, or natural calamities
- Coverage of any damages incurred to bikes (motorcycle insurance available for $400 / bike)
- Other personal expenses, laundry, etc…
- Tips for guides, staff, drivers, etc…
From:
$3,395 / Rider
*support vehicle extra
**mechanic / follow-up rider included in groups of 4+
- Prices quoted on a twin-sharing room basis. Single supplement – $195
- Prices subject to change as cost of accommodation and transportation may increase.
Flexible Departure Dates
Contact me to plan dates that work for you
Recommended Season
September – November; March – May
